Explanatory notes for Act 2, Scene 1 From As You Like It. Ed. Samuel Thurber, Jr. and Louise Wetherbee. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1922. (Line numbers have been altered.) __________

The Forest of Arden lies before us, “a golden world” in which we find the father of Rosalind and his faithful followers, “fleeting the time carelessly.” His philosophy of life is worth studying and perhaps following.

Line 2. old custom: long continued habit. The Duke implies here the length of his exile and his content.

8. painted pomp: Note the alliteration here and elsewhere in the scene.

5. penalty of Adam: The poet goes on to describe what he regards as the penalty. In Genesis we find, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” Which do you prefer?

6. as: as for example.

8. which: in regard to which.

12-18. A very celebrated and beautiful passage. Explain it.

13. which … head: This superstition about the toad-stone was very common in Shakespeare’s time. The toad was supposed to have in its head a jelly-like substance which would cure one who had been poisoned. The ugly and venomous toad however, if it could, sucked up the stone before its death, thus depriving mankind of its benefits. What is the precious jewel of adversity?

16. exempt … haunt: free from the public eye.

16. What figure of speech here?

19. translate: Why is this a peculiarly beautiful word here?

21. us: for ourselves.

22. irks me: irritates me. dappled fools: This is only one of the many ways in which the deer are to be described in the play.

23. burghers: citizens.

24. forked heads: It is delightful to find the forked heads so perfectly described as in the following quotation from Roger Ascham: “Two maner of arrowe heades sayeth Pollux, was used in olde tyme, — the one hauying two poyntes or barbes lookyng backewarde to the stele and the fethers which surely we call in Englishe a brode arrow head, or a swalowe tayle, — the other hauing two poyntes stretchying forwarde and this Englysh men do call a forke-head.”

26. Jaques: pronounced in two syllables with a long a and e. We here are introduced to one of the most interesting characters of the play. He is Shakespeare’s own creation. Contrast his attitude towards life with that of the Duke.

27. in that kind: in that way.

29. Amiens: Give this the English pronunciation.

31-43. How does Shakespeare make a clear picture in this passage? Note use of descriptive words.

33. sequestered: separated from his companions.

41. marked: observed. What do you learn of Shakespeare’s attitude towards animals?

44. moralize: extract a lesson.

46. needless: not needing. What meaning has it today?

49. being alone: as to his being alone.

50. velvet: another picture word.

52. flux: flow.

53. full … pasture: having eaten.

58. invectively: bitterly.

59. body: whole system.

62. up: used to intensify the verb.

67. cope: encounter. Why does the Duke so much enjoy Jaques?

QUESTIONS

1. In the theater of Shakespeare’s time stage setting was often merely suggested. The playwright aroused the imagination of his audience by suggestive words spoken by the actors. For instance the Duke says, “in these woods.” Find other examples and describe the scene.

2. Contrast Duke Senior and Duke Frederick.

3. How are the Lords dressed?

4. What do you learn of the Duke’s attitude towards his changed life? Has he any regrets?

5. How is he regarded by his attendants?

6. Why does Shakespeare frequently introduce a character through the words of another as in the case of Jaques in this scene? What opinion of Jaques have you already formed?